The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has laid off 4% of its staff as part of the government effort to reduce the number of probationary employees, a spokesperson confirmed Feb. 24, according to Insurance Journal.
Despite the reduction, the agency said it remains focused on enforcing safety regulations and continuing its investigations into Tesla vehicles.
The agency, which grew by 30% under the Biden administration, said it is still operating at a larger capacity after the recent job cuts.
“We have retained positions critical to the mission of saving lives, preventing injuries and reducing economic costs due to road traffic crashes,” NHTSA said.
NHTSA currently has multiple open investigations into Tesla, including a probe launched in October into 2.4 million vehicles equipped with the automaker’s Full Self-Driving (FSD) software. The investigation was prompted by four reported crashes, including a fatal collision in 2023. In January, the agency opened another inquiry into 2.6 million Tesla vehicles over reports of accidents related to a feature that allows users to remotely move their cars.
In December 2023, Tesla recalled more than 2 million U.S. vehicles to add safeguards to its Autopilot driver-assistance system. However, NHTSA is still evaluating whether the recall sufficiently addresses concerns about drivers failing to remain attentive while using the system.
The staff reduction comes as the agency undergoes leadership changes. Earlier this month, former NHTSA chief counsel and current Apple lawyer Jonathan Morrison was nominated by President Donald Trump to lead the agency. Meanwhile, Trump’s nominee for the second-highest position at the U.S. Department of Transportation has pledged a fair and impartial approach to overseeing auto safety investigations, including those involving Tesla.
Despite the staff cuts, NHTSA emphasized its commitment to enforcing federal vehicle safety regulations across all manufacturers.
